Britain's Mark Cavendish has backed the campaign to get ProTour cyclists to sign an anti-doping charter.

The International Cycling Union wants all cyclists to sign a declaration before the Tour de France saying that they are not involved in doping.

"I think I speak on behalf of a young generation which believes it is cool to be clean," said Cavendish, 22.

"I want to sign this to show that my career will be doping free. I am completely against it."

The charter has been launched in response to a series of doping scandals that have rocked the sport.

The document contains a promise to submit DNA samples to Spanish authorities in the Puerto anti-doping investigation as well as a pledge to donate a year's salary in the event of a positive test for a banned substance in the future.

It will be sent to all cyclists for signing by the start of the Tour de France on 7 July.

The UCI is unable to force riders to sign the charter but a list of those who have and who have not signed will be made available on the organisation's website.

"Although the federation can't force riders to sign, it would like team managers to take that into consideration when deciding whether to enter riders in a race or not," said UCI president Pat McQuaid.

"I do think there is a genuine wish for change in the sport and this is one aspect of that wish for change.

"This is the riders' commitment to a new cycling."

T-Mobile rider Cavendish, in his first season as a professional, won two stages at the recent Tour of Catalunya but has said he does not expect to be involved in this year's Tour de France.